Opportunistic directory cache

ABSTRACT

An opportunistic directory cache and method of usage reduce the number of calls between a client and server for file information, reducing the wastage of network resources and server resources. The expirable directory cache can be refreshed any time an appropriate directory enumeration call is made to the server, and is capable of being partially rather than completely invalidated in response to an indication that the file information of a file listed in the cache has or will change. If the affected file is identifiable, the entry in the cache for that file is invalidated, i.e. it is no longer useful for serving file information. If the affected file is not identifiable, then a first character projection of the file name is invalidated in the cache. In this manner, the directory cache is maintained with minimum resources and is persisted to the greatest extent possible, increasing its likelihood of usefulness.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates generally to the technology of computer networking and, more particularly, relates to a caching mechanism for minimizing network traffic due to frequent server calls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In a computer network environment, a computer user can retrieve information from a local source, such as a local disk drive, or from a remote source such as a file on a remote server. While the user may locally store the files that the user wishes to interact with, it is common to store other files on a server. For example, where numerous users using different computers may need to sequentially access and read or modify a single file, such as in a collaborative workplace, such a file is typically located on a server that is accessible to the various multiple users.

[0003] Because a user, or the user's computer, most likely does not have precise and timely information regarding the contents of a particular directory, the user's computer typically requests that the directory be enumerated so that the computer may determine what is and is not stored in the directory of interest. For example, an “open” operation directed to a file in the directory will succeed only if the particular file exists in the specified directory.

[0004] There are many other situations where an application on a computer may make one or more calls to the server for directory information. For example, some applications trigger open or query-directory calls after each letter of a file name is entered. Thus, when the file name “cabbage” is typed into such an application for opening, seven separate open or query calls are sent to the server. The first is sent when the first “c” is typed in, the second when the first “a” is typed in and so forth with “b,” “b,” “a,” “g,” and “e.”

[0005] Excessive querying of the server for directory and/or file information wastes both communication medium bandwidth and server bandwidth. This in turn either decreases the speed with which networked machines are served or decreases the number of machines serviceable by the server. Accordingly, there is a need for a system that minimizes the number of calls to a server for such information, in order to save the resources of both the server and the communication medium.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The system described herein provides an opportunistic directory cache that enables certain requests for information to be served from the cache rather than requiring a call to the server. The directory cache is such that it can be used negatively or positively, and for directory enumeration. In particular, in the negative mode, the cache is used to determine that a given file does not exist in the relevant directory on the server. In positive mode, the directory cache is utilized to 1) determine that a given file does exist in the relevant directory on the server, and 2) serve FILE-BASIC-INFORMATION (attributes) for the given file. Finally, for purposes of enumeration, the directory cache can be used to provide a listing of the directory contents.

[0007] The directory cache is an expirable cache that is not updated during its lifetime. A long lifetime leads to an increase in the usability of the directory cache, i.e. it is long-lived and so obviates a greater number of calls to the server. At the same time, the accuracy of the directory cache is generally inversely related to the lifetime of the cache. A moderate lifetime provides a directory cache that is reasonably accurate and that provides a reasonable efficiency in obviating calls to the server. The level of activity in the network and with respect to the directory of interest is one factor to consider in setting the directory cache lifetimes, with less active environments allowing for longer lifetimes.

[0008] In an embodiment, the directory cache is partially rather than completely invalidated in response to certain events subsequent to caching. In this way, the useful life of the directory cache is extended, improving the efficient use of both channel bandwidth and server resources. The partial invalidation consists of either an express invalidation of an identified cache entry or the invalidation of a first character projection in the cache.

[0009] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] While the appended claims set forth the features of the present invention with particularity, the invention, together with its objects and advantages, may be best understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a block diagram generally illustrating an exemplary computer system usable in an implementation of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a network computing system within which an embodiment of the invention can be implemented;

[0013]FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of a general cache structure, including a directory cache usable in an embodiment of the invention;

[0014]FIG. 3B is a schematic illustration of a directory cache structure and contents usable in an embodiment of the invention;

[0015]FIG. 3C is a schematic illustration of a directory cache structure and contents usable in an alternative embodiment of the invention;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a process flow for establishing the directory cache contents in an embodiment of the invention;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a network computing system within which an alternative embodiment of the invention can be implemented;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the usage of a directory cache in an embodiment of the invention during a non-benign file access attempt; and

[0019]FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the usage of a directory cache in an embodiment of the invention during a benign file access attempt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Turning to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, the invention is illustrated as being implemented in a suitable computing environment. Although not required, the invention will be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a personal computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced with other computer system configurations, including hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. The invention is primarily for use in a networked environment in an embodiment and may further be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

[0021]FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a suitable computing system environment 100 usable in an implementation of the invention. The computing system environment 100 is only one example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the invention. Neither should the computing environment 100 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary operating environment 100.

[0022] The invention is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that are suitable for use with the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

[0023] As indicated above, the invention is described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.

[0024] An exemplary system for implementing the invention includes a general purpose computing device in the form of a computer 110. Components of the computer 110 generally include, but are not limited to, a processing unit 120, a system memory 130, and a system bus 121 that couples various system components including the system memory to the processing unit 120. The system bus 121 may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example only, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Associate (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus also known as Mezzanine bus.

[0025] Computer 110 typically includes a variety of computer readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by computer 110 and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example only, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media.

[0026] Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by computer 110.

[0027] Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics (such as, for example, voltage or current level, voltage or current pulse existence or nonexistence, voltage or current pulse width, voltage or current pulse spacing, etc.) set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media.

[0028] The system memory 130 includes computer storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) 131 and random access memory (RAM) 132. A basic input/output system 133 (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer 110, such as during start-up, is typically stored in ROM 131. RAM 132 typically contains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated on by processing unit 120. By way of example, and not limitation, FIG. 1 illustrates operating system 134, application programs 135, other program modules 136, and program data 137.

[0029] The computer 110 may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only, FIG. 1 illustrates a hard disk drive 141 that reads from or writes to non-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive 151 that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk 152, and an optical disk drive 155 that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile optical disk 156 such as a CD ROM or other optical media. Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media that can be used in the exemplary operating environment include, but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solid state ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive 141 is typically connected to the system bus 121 through a non-removable memory interface such as interface 140, and magnetic disk drive 151 and optical disk drive 155 are typically connected to the system bus 121 by a removable memory interface, such as interface 150.

[0030] The drives and their associated computer storage media, discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 1, provide storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the computer 110. In FIG. 1, for example, hard disk drive 141 is illustrated as storing operating system 144, application programs 145, other program modules 146, and program data 147. Note that these components can either be the same as or different from operating system 134, application programs 135, other program modules 136, and program data 137. Operating system 144, application programs 145, other program modules 146, and program data 147 are given different numbers herein to illustrate that, at a minimum, they are different copies. A user may enter commands and information into the computer 110 through input devices such as a keyboard 162 and pointing device 161, commonly referred to as a mouse, trackball or touch pad. Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit 120 through a user input interface 160 that is coupled to the system bus, but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor 191 or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus 121 via an interface, such as a video interface 190. In addition to the monitor, computers may also include other peripheral output devices such as speakers 197 and printer 196, which may be connected through an output peripheral interface 195.

[0031] When used to implement an embodiment of the invention, the computer 110 generally operates in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer 180. One remote computer 180 will typically be a server in an implementation of an embodiment of the invention, but there may additionally or alternatively exist another remote computer that is a personal computer, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and in any case the remote computer or computers typically include many or all of the elements described above relative to the personal computer 110, although only a memory storage device 181 has been illustrated in FIG. 1. The logical connections depicted in FIG. 1 include a local area network (LAN) 171 and a wide area network (WAN) 173, but the computer 110 may additionally or alternatively use one or more other networking environments. Networking environments of all types are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet.

[0032] The computer 110 preferably includes facilities for accessing the networks to which it is attachable. For example, when used in a LAN networking environment, the personal computer 110 is connected to the LAN 171 through a network interface or adapter 170. When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 110 typically includes a modem 172 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN 173, such as the Internet. The modem 172, which may be internal or external, may be connected to the system bus 121 via the user input interface 160, or other appropriate mechanism. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the personal computer 110, or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. By way of example, and not limitation, FIG. 1 illustrates remote application programs 185 as residing on memory device 181. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used. It is not intended to limit the invention to use in a hard-wired network environment, since it may also be used in transiently connected environments, such as for example a wholly or partially wireless network environment interconnected wholly or partially via optical, infrared, and/or radio frequency wireless connections.

[0033] In the description that follows, the invention will be described with reference to acts and symbolic representations of operations that are performed by one or more computer, unless indicated otherwise. As such, it will be understood that such acts and operations, which are at times referred to as being computer-executed, include the manipulation by the processing unit of the computer of electrical signals representing data in a structured form. This manipulation transforms the data or maintains it at locations in the memory system of the computer, which reconfigures or otherwise alters the operation of the computer in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art. The data structures where data is maintained are physical locations of the memory that have particular properties defined by the format of the data. However, while the invention is being described in the foregoing context, it is not meant to be limiting as those of skill in the art will appreciate that various of the acts and operation described hereinafter may also be implemented in hardware.

[0034]FIG. 2 illustrates schematically a networking environment in which the present invention can be implemented. The client computer 210 is preferably as described above with respect to computer 110. For example, the client 210 preferably comprises a processor and at least one form of volatile memory, referred to with respect to FIG. 1 as RAM 132. The client computer 210 further comprises a loaded application 212 and is networked with server 214 via network connection 216. Although the networking hardware and interface is not explicitly illustrated for simplicity, it will be understood that client computer 210 and server 214 both have sufficient facilities to access the network connection 216. Network connection 216 may be any type of medium, wired or otherwise, having single or multiple wires or channels, that is capable of passing information between the client 210 and server 214, such as the network connections 171, 173 illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0035] The client computer 210 further comprises an input/output manager (I/O manager) 218 usable by the application 212 to execute requests for obtaining or outputting information. The I/O manager 218 in turn utilizes a redirector 220 when it suspects that the information is not local (e.g. files in the UNC format, as \\Server\Share\Dir\File). The redirector 220 is responsible for obtaining requested information, whether locally (in the case where the Redirector determines that \\Server\Share is only pointing to the local machine's file system), or remotely such as from server 214 or other networked machine. The redirector 220 thus maintains information regarding where and how to obtain requested information. The information maintained by the redirector 220 with respect to location indicates what data source hosts a particular set of information, such as a directory, share, etc. The redirector 220 further comprises a connection engine, which is a portion of RDBSS.SYS in the context of the WINDOWS platform produced by MICROSOFT CORPORATION of Redmond, Wash., as well as a number of “mini-Redirectors” (or “mini-rdr”), each adapted to communicate via one of a number of different protocols. For the discussion that follows, it will be assumed that the mini-rdr utilized communicates via the server message block (“SMB”) protocol, although such is not required.

[0036] The cache 222 is used to temporarily store information for faster access than could be had by returning to the original source of the information, as will be discussed in greater detail below. The structure of the cache 222 is shown in greater detail in the schematic diagram of FIG. 3a. In particular, the cache 322 further comprises a “FileNotFound” cache 324, a “FileInfo” cache 326, and a directory cache 328. The usage of the FileNotFound cache 324 and the FileInfo cache 326 is familiar to those of skill in the art. In particular, the FileNotFound cache 324 is an expirable cache with a lifetime of perhaps 7 seconds. The information cached in the FileNotfound cache 324 is used to obviate a call to a server or other source for information regarding a file that is already described by the cache as not existing on the source or has been deleted or renamed by a process in the client (and about which the client, therefore, has first-hand information). The FileInfo cache 326 is similarly an expirable cache with a lifetime of perhaps 7 seconds. The information cached in the FileInfo cache 326 is used to obviate a call to the server for information regarding a file when the requested information is already contained in the cache 326.

[0037] The directory cache 228 is an expirable cache used to cache information regarding a directory on the server, in a manner to be described in greater detail below. As will be discussed, the FileNotFound cache 324 and the FileInfo cache 326 will typically be searched by the redirector 220 before the directory cache 328 is searched when the information sought is of the type that would ordinarily be cached in those caches. The directory cache 328 preferably contains, while valid, a wholly or partially valid enumeration of the target directory, such as via the commonly used BDI enumeration (Both Directory Enumeration, which comprises per-file information of type Basic Attributes, Standard Attributes, File Name, Short-File Name, File Index etc.) as defined by WINDOWS TOOLS produced by MICROSOFT CORPORATION of Redmond, Wash.

[0038] The function MRXSMB 224 (also referred to as the “Directory Tail Function”) is used to interpret a directory query response (enumeration of files in the target directory in SMB protocol format, including information for ‘.’ i.e., self and ‘..’, i.e., parent) to the client 210 from the server 214, as will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter. Those of skill in the art will be familiar with the manner in which to use the MRXSMB function 224.

[0039] The use of the directory cache 328 will now be described in greater detail with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 4 and 6-7. In overview, the directory cache 328 is opportunistic and can be used positively and negatively under certain circumstances with respect to information about specific files, and can also be used more generally for purposes of directory enumeration under certain circumstances.

[0040]FIG. 4 illustrates in flow chart form one process for the initial establishment of the contents of the opportunistic directory cache 328. The process assumes that as an initial state the directory cache 328 is empty, expired or invalidated. In step 401, the application 212 issues a request to the I/O manager 218 that would typically trigger a directory enumeration of a targeted directory resident on the server 214. Such a request may be an explicit enumeration request such as a DIR or FindFirst request, or may be a request that implicitly requires an enumeration. The I/O manager 218, having received the request, passes the request to the redirector 220 in step 403 for direction to the appropriate information source, in this case the server 214. At step 405, the redirector 220 checks the directory cache 328 to determine if a call to the server 214 is needed. Since in this initial case there is no information in the directory cache 328, the redirector 220 calls the server 214 at step 407 to request a directory enumeration of the targeted directory.

[0041] At step 409, the server 214 returns to the client 210 a coded directory enumeration. The coded directory enumeration is transformed by the directory tail function 224 in step 411 into an enumeration that is usable by the directory cache 328 and the requesting application 212. The enumeration typically contains all files and folders visible at the top level. Finally at step 413, the redirector 220 caches the directory enumeration in the directory cache 328, sets a directory cache expiration timer to an appropriate value such as 10 seconds, and copies the enumeration into the application buffer. The directory cache expiration time may be an amount of time other than 10 seconds, and can also be user-settable. For the requested information, the application 212 then refers to the information stored in its application buffer. Note that the directory cache 328 need not be empty, expired or wholly invalidated in order to be refreshed. For example, if a directory enumeration from the server 214 becomes available for any reason, the cache may be refreshed.

[0042] The general format of the information in the directory cache 328 at this point can be represented in the manner shown in FIG. 3b. In particular, the cached information associates each of one or more file names 331 with related file attributes 333. The file attributes can be a union of several levels of file attributes, such as basic, standard, etc. Basic attributes may be such attributes as file creation time, file last modified time, read only status, etc., as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Standard attributes can be such attributes as file size, name length, etc., as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Although not shown in FIG. 3B, directory cache 328 can also include a security descriptor identifying, or usable to identify, a user.

[0043] In one embodiment of the invention, it is assumed that the server 214 does not support short names, hard links etc. In other words, it is preferred that the server supports unique names with respect to files for the partition on which the redirector 220 is active. This is because many of the techniques that can be implemented using the opportunistic directory cache system are name-based and file addressability by unique names is required.

[0044] In overview, there are several specific types of behavior that can be implemented with respect to the directory cache. During open/create operations, where prior systems would have triggered multiple directory queries, the directory cache 328 is used to service most such queries, even in many cases when the cache 328 is partially invalidated. This behavior as well as other aspects of various embodiments of the invention will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

[0045] If the application 212 or another application on client 210 later makes a request that would ordinarily trigger another directory enumeration of the same target directory, the redirector 220 will serve the request from the directory cache 328 rather than call the server 214, if the directory cache is still valid for enumeration. This particular manner of usage of the directory cache 328 is referred to herein as the enumeration use of the directory cache 328. There are a number of situations, in addition to expiration, that could make the directory cache 328 partially invalid or “out of date for enumeration.” Several such situations will be discussed in greater detail below in the context of specific examples. The directory cache 328 is opportunistic in that the redirector 220 serves most directory queries from the cache 328 while it remains valid for enumeration, and creation or deletion of files in the relevant directory serves only to partially invalidate the cache 328, although the directory cache 328 will be marked “out of date for enumeration.”

[0046] As mentioned above, the directory cache 328 can be used in both a positive sense and a negative sense with respect to particular files and their associated information. For example, after the process described by the flow chart of FIG. 4 is completed, the directory cache 328 will remain wholly or partially valid until either expiration or express invalidation of the whole, or until it is replenished. The partial invalidation of the directory cache 328 is significant to some embodiments, and thus will be discussed before proceeding to a discussion of specific usage scenarios.

[0047] The primary motivation behind the partial invalidation scheme lies in the fact that the directory cache may be difficult to update in a piecemeal way. This can stem from any number of causes, but with respect to the MICROSOFT WINDOWS platform, the difficulty in updating is primarily due to the modular nature of the directory response path. In particular, the directory enumeration response is translated by the function MRXSMB 224 into a single body of directory information. Further compounding this problem, there are typically insufficient memory resources to precisely track the changes in existing directory information (such as when a file is modified, changing its time stamp) or to precisely track new directory information (such as when a file is newly created after caching of directory information) in the directory cache 328.

[0048] Thus the basic process of partial directory cache invalidation entails that when a change occurs that would have the effect of changing file attribute information such as BDI information or timestamp information, the directory cache 328 is not expressly updated or wholly invalidated. Rather, if the relevant file is listed in the directory cache 328, that particular entry is marked as invalid for serving file information, such as BDI information. The reason for this is that all queries with respect to this file are sent to the server 214 if the directory cache 328 confirms that the file exists on the server 214.

[0049] However, if the directory cache 328 does not list the relevant file, then the redirector 220 might ordinarily behave as if the file did not exist, even though it is known that a file was created etc. In order to resolve this dilemma, when a file is acted upon in a non-benign way that changes its time stamp or BDI information, and when that file is not listed in the directory cache 328, the BDI information of the first character projection of the changed file is marked invalid in the directory cache 328. For example, if the file BDES1.PRN was newly created after caching of directory information, then the attributes of all directory cache entries 331 listing files whose names begin with “B” (i.e. having a name of B*) are marked as invalid for serving file information. Nevertheless, each such entry can be used to confirm the existence of the particular file on the server 214 in the relevant partition. If a file that is the target of a non-benign operation is listed in the directory cache 328, the query is sent to the server 214 itself, the BDI information of the relevant file is invalidated in the directory cache 328 , and any available updated file information from the server 214 is cached in the FileInfo cache 326. Also, the directory cache 328 is flagged as invalid for directory enumeration.

[0050] Similarly, for example, an application may attempt a delete operation on a file that is listed in the directory cache 328. In this case, the BDI information for the deleted file is invalidated in the directory cache 328 and the directory cache 328 as a whole is flagged as out of date for enumeration, i.e. for providing directory information regarding the target directory as a whole, such as an enumeration of the directory contents. In addition, the FileNotFound cache 324 is updated to indicate that the target file has been deleted, and any information in the FileInfo cache 326 regarding the target file is deleted. Because the various caches are expirable, a situation may arise where after the aforementioned actions, an application attempts to access a deleted file. If the FileNotFound cache 324 has expired, and the directory cache 328 has not, then the redirector will see the deleted file listed in the directory cache 328 as existent, and will forward the access call to the server itself. At this point, the server 214 will return the information that the file is not found, and the FileNotFound cache 324 will be refreshed.

[0051] For benign operations, such as “Open for read access” or “Open for read attributes,” that would not change a target file's time stamp or BDI information, if the file name does not appear in the directory cache 328, the corresponding open/create is failed with a status of STATUS_OBJECT_NOT_FOUND. The directory cache 328 is not partially invalidated in this case.

[0052] With respect to the whole or partial invalidation of the directory cache 328, the cache 328 supports two status fields 330, 332 as shown in FIG. 3b. The first field 330, termed the first character invalidation field, indicates the characters for which first character projections are invalidated. Thus, the field 330 would list “a” if all files named “a*” are invalidated, and so on. The second field 332, termed the number invalidated field, stores the number of character invalidations, for the reason that if more than a predetermined number of first character projection invalidations are made before the cache 328 expires, then the directory cache 328 has become essentially useless and should be wholly invalidated. For example, if the number invalidated field 332 indicated that 10 first character projection invalidations have been made, the directory cache 328 may be wholly invalidated. Note that even when the directory cache 328 is only partially invalidated, it can no longer be used to accurately provide a directory enumeration.

[0053] In an embodiment, the directory cache 328 also supports fields for indicating other types of partial invalidation. For example, certain symbols are not generally considered to be “characters” but may nonetheless be the first entity in a file name. A first entity projection is invalidated as appropriate in such cases instead of a first character projection. As used hereinafter, the term “first character projection” will be understood to subsume within it's meaning such a first entity projection.

[0054] Particular directory cache use scenarios will now be discussed in greater detail. Referring to the flow chart of FIG. 6, the use of the directory cache 328 during a non-benign file access operation is illustrated. At step 601, the application 212 informs the I/O manager 218 that the application 212 is attempting to create a file sample.txt in a particular target directory. The Application may attempt to create the file with “Fail if exists, else fail-create the file”, meaning, ‘if the file already exists in the server, fail the request, else try creating the file on the server, and if for some reason the creation fails (due to disk space or some other constraint), inform the application, otherwise the application will wait to receive a handle.’ In this case, the mini-rdr only translates the call to the remote system (i.e., the server) and does not parse the semantics of the call.

[0055] Since all operations on the client 210 are handle-based, the I/O manager 218 may require the creation of a handle to a file-object before any operation is issued on that file. At step 603, the I/O Manager identifies the device as the redirector and passes the Create call to the redirector.

[0056] At step 605, the redirector 220 strips off the directory name and checks to see if there is a cache on that name. If there is not, the redirector 220 directs the call to the server 214 itself in step 607, caches the returned file information to the Fileinfo cache 326 in step 609, and copies the returned information to the application buffer of application 212 at step 611.

[0057] If there is, the redirector invalidates the directory cache in steps 613-619. This invalidation follows the procedures explained above. Thus, if the target file is determined at step 613 to exist in the target directory, then at step 619 the file-basic info for that particular file is invalidated and the cache is marked to avoid future enumerations. If at step 613 it is instead determined that the file is not listed in the cache as existing in the target directory, then in step 615, the first-character projection is invalidated and the cache is marked to avoid future enumerations. In both cases, the ‘create’ call is sent to the server in step 617 and the returned handle is translated to the user.

[0058]FIG. 7 illustrates a potential sequence of events using the directory cache 328 in a situation where a benign file operation is being attempted. At step 701, the application 212 issues an “open for read access” request to the I/O manager 218 with respect to the file sample2.txt resident in a target directory. At step 703, the I/O manager 218 forwards the request to the redirector 220 for resolution. The redirector 220 determines at step 705 whether directory information for the target directory has been cached in the directory cache 328. If it is determined at step 705 that directory information for the target directory has not been cached, then at step 707, the redirector sends the open request to the server 214. At step 709, it is determined whether the file is successfully opened, and if so the handle is returned and the File-Basic information for that file is cached in the FileInfo cache 326 in step 711. If instead the file is not found on the server, then that information is cached in the FileNotFound cache 324 in step 713.

[0059] If at step 705 it is determined that information for the relevant directory has been cached, then if the cached directory information is determined in step 715 not to list the file sample2.txt, the redirector sends a STATUS_OBJECT_NOT_FOUND indication to the I/O manager 218 in step 719 and updates the FileNotFound cache 324. If instead the cached information does list the relevant file, the redirector sends an “open for read access” to the server 214 in step 717 and translates the retrieved file handle to the application buffer for application 212. The context that is received by the redirector from the server is typically a 16-bit unique USHORT that acts as an identifier of the relevant file across the SMB session. The redirector translates this handle to a file-handle, file-control-block, or other complete view of the file from the point of view of the I/O Manager. At step 721, the directory cache 328 is partially invalidated with respect to the particular file and at step 723, the returned File-Basic-Information is cached in the FileInfo cache 326.

[0060] In an alternative embodiment, the invention is implemented much as described above, except that the directory cache is maintained on a terminal server or other intermediate node serving multiple clients rather than on the client machines themselves. This architecture is shown schematically in FIG. 5. Note that this architecture includes many of the elements found in the previously discussed architectures, including I/O Manager 518, Redirector 520, cache 522, and MRXSMB 524. The client sessions 501, 503, 505 are part of the Terminal Server architecture. The actual terminal client 507, 509, 511 that runs on a client machine performs simple communication and graphics rendering tasks, while the process of interest is actually run on the terminal server 513.

[0061] In the case of terminal services, since multiple client sessions 501, 503, 505 can exist over the redirector 520 there is a need for the cache owner to be identified. To this end, a Security descriptor (SID) identifying the user is implemented as part of each directory cache within cache 522. In particular, in the terminal server case, the user ID field 334 contained in the directory cache 328 is used to identify the user for whom the directory is cached, so that a particular directory cache can be used to serve a particular client session 501, 503, 505. This is especially important when different clients can have varying scopes of permitted access in the server 568. Note that directory cache 328 still contains the other features discussed above such as a character projections invalidated field 340 and a number invalidated field 350, as well as file name 341 and attribute 351 fields for the same reasons as discussed above.

[0062] In addition to the invalidation scenarios discussed above, the directory cache 328 for a particular user is entirely invalidated if a different user issues a create, enum, or other query to the target directory or files within. This is due to the inability of the redirector 520 to make sure that the querying user has at least the same privileges on the directory as the user for which the directory enumeration was cached. Such access checking is typically performed at the server only.

[0063] Because the level of directory access and file modification will likely be extensive in a multi-user scenario such as illustrated in FIG. 5, a directory cache within cache 522 may often contain an excessive number of invalidated character projections, as indicated by field 350, and as such may become largely ineffectual. For this reason, it will sometimes be desirable to turn off or disable the terminal server-based directory cache functionality in such an environment. Preferably a user or administrator is able to disable the terminal server-based directory cache 528. Note that the directory cache 328 in the client-based directory cache embodiment preferably can be turned off as well by the user. It is also preferable, but not necessary, that the expiration time and other meaningful directory cache properties be user-settable in each embodiment.

[0064] All of the references cited herein, including patents, patent applications, and publications, are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference.

[0065] In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of this invention may be applied, it should be recognized that the embodiments described herein with respect to the drawing figures are meant to be illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of invention. For example, those of skill in the art will recognize that the elements of the illustrated embodiment shown in software may be implemented in hardware and vice versa or that the illustrated embodiment can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, although network connections are illustrated herein as lines, no limitation should thereby be imparted to the invention to the invention. Network connections may be circuit-switched, packet-switched, otherwise, and may be transient or permanent, hard-wired or wireless, operating via any suitable protocol. Therefore, the invention as described herein contemplates all such embodiments as may come within the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof. 

We claim:
 1. A method of serving target directory information, in a computing environment comprising a server computer hosting the target directory, a client computer communicably linkable to the server computer, the client computer hosting an application and a directory cache, the method comprising the steps of: receiving from the application a benign request for information relating to a target file potentially contained in the target directory; inspecting the directory cache to determine whether a valid enumeration of the contents of the target directory is cached in the directory cache; forwarding the request for information to the server if it is determined that a valid enumeration of the contents of the target directory is not cached in the directory cache; inspecting the directory cache to determine whether a valid entry for the target file is contained in the enumeration of the contents of the target directory, if it is determined that a valid enumeration of the contents of the target directory is cached in the directory cache; returning to the application an indication that the target file does not exist in the target directory if it is determined that a valid entry for the target file is not contained in the enumeration of the contents of the target directory; and if it is determined that a valid entry for the target file is contained in the enumeration of the contents of the target directory, serving the request for information from the directory cache if the valid entry for the target file contains sufficient information to satisfy the request, and otherwise sending the request to the server and passing a response from the server to the application.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of receiving from the application a benign request for information relating to a target file potentially contained in the target directory further comprises receiving a request for read-only access.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of receiving from the application a benign request for information relating to a target file potentially contained in the target directory further comprises receiving the benign request from an input/output manager that received the request from the application.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of forwarding the request for information to the server if it is determined that a valid enumeration of the contents of the target directory is not cached in the directory cache further comprises caching a response to the request for information in the directory cache.
 5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of expiring the directory cache upon the passage of an expiration period.
 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the expiration period is user-settable.
 7. A method of managing a directory cache for a target directory, in a computing environment comprising a server computer hosting the target directory, a client computer communicably linkable to the server computer, the client computer hosting an application and the directory cache, the method comprising the steps of: receiving from the application a non-benign request for information relating to a target file potentially contained in the target directory; inspecting the directory cache to determine whether a valid enumeration of the contents of the target directory is cached in the directory cache; forwarding the request for information to the server if it is determined that a valid enumeration of the contents of the target directory is not cached in the directory cache, and caching a server response to the request for information in the directory cache; inspecting the directory cache to determine whether a valid entry for the target file is contained in the enumeration of the contents of the target directory, if it is determined that a valid enumeration of the contents of the target directory is cached in the directory cache; invalidating in the directory cache the file information for all entries that begin with the same first character as the target file if it is determined that a valid entry for the target file is not contained in the enumeration of the contents of the target directory; and invalidating in the directory cache the file information for the target file if it is determined that a valid entry for the target file is contained in the enumeration of the contents of the target directory.
 8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the step of receiving from the application a non-benign request for information relating to a target file potentially contained in the target directory comprises receiving a request for access to the target file whereby the request if granted would allow the application to modify the last modified time of the target file.
 9. The method according to claim 7 wherein the step of receiving from the application a non-benign request for information relating to a target file potentially contained in the target directory comprises receiving a request for access to the target file whereby the request if granted would allow the application to modify the BDI information of the target file.
 10. The method according to claim 7 wherein the step of receiving from the application a non-benign request for information relating to a target file potentially contained in the target directory comprises receiving the request from an input/output manager that received the request from the application.
 11. The method according to claim 7 further comprising the step of expiring the directory cache upon the passage of an expiration period.
 12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the expiration period is user-settable.
 13. A directory cache for caching information regarding files contained in a target directory, the directory cache comprising: a name field for caching a plurality of names of a plurality of files; an attribute field associated with the name field for caching file information associated with each of the plurality of files; a character invalidation field for storing an indication that file information associated with a file having a name that starts with a selected character is invalid; a number invalidated field for storing an indication of the number of selected characters; and a security descriptor field for identifying a user.
 14. The directory cache according to claim 13, wherein the existence in the name field of a file name starting with a character indicted in the character invalidation is an indication that the file associated with that file name exists on the target directory.
 15. The directory cache according to claim 13, wherein the cache expires at the completion of an expiration period.
 16. The directory cache according to claim 15, wherein the expiration period is user-settable.
 17. The directory cache according to claim 13, wherein the cache is disablable at the indication of a user.
 18. The directory cache according to claim 13, further comprising a user ID field identifying a client computer user for whom the cache is maintained.
 19. The directory cache according to claim 18, wherein the cache can be disabled by the client computer user.
 20. The directory cache according to claim 18, wherein the cache can be disabled by a network administrator.
 21. The directory cache according to claim 18, wherein the cache is maintained on a machine other than a machine being used by the client computer user. 